Mold and method of forming vehicle floor mat

ABSTRACT

A floor mat is disclosed which is releasably attachable to loop-pile fibers of a carpet of the carpeted floor board of a vehicle. The floor mat includes a generally planar member having a top surface, a carpet material attached and/or bonded to the top surface, a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending nibs, and a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging members interlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board. The planar member, and thus, the integrally formed carpet-engaging members are desirably formed from a heat curable, elastomeric or rubber-like material so that the plurality of carpet-engaging members is disengageable from the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board generally without damaging the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board. Also disclosed are a mold and a method for forming such a floor mat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

1. The present invention relates to vehicle floor mats, and moreparticularly to vehicle floor mats which releasably attach to carpetedfloor boards of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2. It is often desirable to protect factory installed carpeting in avehicle, and particularly carpeted floor boards from wear and tear, withfloor mats. Such floor mats typically have an upper surface covered witha carpeted material.

3. A familiar and long-standing problem associated with the use of suchfloor mats is that the floor mats have a tendency to move or shift(e.g., due to the action of the driver's feet on the floor mat duringnormal use and operation of a vehicle) and interfere with the operationof the brake and/or accelerator pedals.

4. Numerous attempts have been made to address the problem of movementof a floor mat relative to the carpeted floor board. One attempt is toprovide fasteners or retainers which extend through holes in the floormat, the carpet overlaying the floor board, and/or the floor board toattach the floor mat to the carpeted floor board. While suitable formaintaining the floor mat in a fixed position relative to the floorboard, a drawback with the use of such fasteners is that the floor matis not easily and quickly removed, cleaned, and reinstalled.

5. Another attempt is to provide disks or strips of VELCRO® brand (i.e.,hook and loop-type) fasteners, for example, a first disk or strip havingmechanically interlocking members (e.g., loops) secured to the back ofthe floor mat and a second disk or strip having mechanicallyinterlocking members (e.g., hooks) secured to the carpeted floor boardin registration with the first disk or strip. Drawbacks with thisattempt are that only a small portion, e.g., the corners, of the bottomof the floor mat is secured to the carpeted floor board, and the floormat must be properly aligned relative to the floor board for theportions of the VELCRO® brand fasteners to fully engage each other.

6. It has also been proposed to just attach, e.g., adhesively attach,strips of the hook portion of the VELCRO® brand fastener to the back orbottom of the floor mat for use on carpeted floor boards havingloop-pile fibers so that the hooks engage the loop-pile fibers of thecarpeted floor board to hold the floor mat in place. A drawback withthis approach is that the hooks of the VELCRO® brand fastener are formedfrom a rigid material which damages the carpeted floor board when thefloor mat is removed, i.e., the hooks pull the loop-pile fibers of thecarpet material and cause the fibers to break and extend above theremaining intact loop-pile fibers. Furthermore, in manufacturing such afloor mat, separate operations or steps are required to adhesivelyattach each of the plurality of strips to the back of the floor mat.

7. Still another attempt is to provide an anti-skid foam backing to thefloor mat to increase the resistance to motion between the floor mat andthe carpeted floor board.

8. Still yet another attempt is to provide downwardly-depending conicalor frustoconical projections or nibs extending from the bottom surfaceof the floor mat. A related attempt also includes providing a separateretainer member, which is positionable between the bottom surface of afloor mat and the top surface of the carpeted floor board, and includesupwardly-extending nibs for engaging the bottom of the floor mat anddownwardly-depending nibs which engage the top surface of the carpetedfloor board.

9. A floor mat with a plurality of nibs is typically molded using afirst die having a plurality of apertures therethrough and a second diewhich provides a backing to the first die to form a flat lowermostbottom surface of the nibs. In production of floor mats having nibs, aheat formable/curable moldable material is forced into the apertures toform the nibs. The pressure used to force the moldable material isselected so that the moldable material is forced into the apertureswhile avoiding the occurrence of flashing, i.e., a fin or excessmaterial along the mold joint line between the mating faces of the firstand second dies. In addition, reliefs have been provided along thesurface of the second die, some of which may extend below some of theapertures, to allow air to escape when forming the nibs. In producingfinished floor mats having nibs, flashing and/or excess materialentering the reliefs while infrequently occurring is unwanted andintentionally avoided to produce floor mats having cleanly formed nibs.

10. While floor mats having a foam backing or nibs increase theresistance to sideways motion and readily allow the floor mat to beremoved for cleaning (e.g., providing no resistance to the nibs beingvertically lifted from the carpeted floor board), such floor mats overtime still move or shift during normal use and operation of a vehicle.

11. Therefore, there is a need for a floor mat which releasably attachesto a loop-pile carpeted floor board to inhibit movement of a floor matrelative to the carpeted floor board and which can be readily repeatedlyremoved for cleaning thereof while not damaging the underlying carpetedfloor board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

12. The above-mentioned drawbacks are overcome by the present inventionwhich provides a vehicle floor mat releasably attachable to loop-pilefibers of a carpeted floor board in which the floor mat includes agenerally planar member having a plurality of integrally formed,spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floorboard.

13. In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality ofcarpet-engaging members is desirably configured and fabricated from anelastic material so that the plurality of carpet-engaging members aredisengeable from the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor matgenerally without breaking the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floorboard. For example, the generally planar member and integrally formedcarpet-engaging members may comprise a rubber-like material, athermoplastic elastomer, or a thermoplastic olefin elastomer.

14. In another aspect of the present invention, the planar memberincludes a bottom surface and the plurality of carpet-engaging membersextend from and are distributed generally evenly spaced-apart oversubstantially the entire area of the bottom surface. Each of theplurality of carpet-engaging members may include a downwardly-dependingprojection having one or more outwardly-extending elongated portions.Desirably, the planar member has a top surface and a carpet materialattached thereto.

15. In another aspect of the present invention, the planar memberfurther comprises a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart,downwardly-depending nibs. Desirably, the ratio of carpet-engagingmembers to nibs is between about one to about four carpet-engagingmembers per every ten nibs.

16. In still another aspect of the present invention, a mold is providedfor forming a vehicle floor mat having a plurality of integrally formed,spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with loop-pile fibers of a carpeted floorboard. The mold includes a first die having a first surface and a secondsurface, and a plurality of spaced-apart apertures extending through thedie from the first surface to the second surface. A second die has anouter surface positionable adjacent to the second surface. At least oneof the second surface of the first die and the outer surface of thesecond die comprises at least one groove extending from and opening ontoeach of the plurality of apertures of the first die.

17. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method is providedfor forming a vehicle floor mat having a plurality of integrally formed,spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with loop-pile fibers of a carpeted floorboard. The method includes the steps of providing a mold as noted above,providing a moldable elastomeric or rubber-like material, heating andcontacting the moldable material to the first surface of the first die,forcing a portion of the moldable material into the spaced-apartapertures and into at least one of grooves in the outer surface of thesecond die or grooves in the second surface of the first die.

18. Desirably, the method further includes the steps of providing acarpet material and bonding the carpet material to a top surface of themoldable material.

19. Advantageously, the floor mat of the present invention is operableto securely attach to a loop-pile or combination loop-pile and cut-pilecarpeted floor board to inhibit lateral motion of the floor mat relativeto the carpeted floor board while allowing the floor mat to still begenerally readily removed from the carpeted floor board. Desirably, thefloor mat of the present invention, while interlockably engaging and theloop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board, does not damage the fiberswhen the floor mat is repeatedly removed, for example, for cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

20. The subject matter which is regarded as the invention isparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concludingportion of the specification. The invention, however, both as toorganization and method of practice, together with further objects andadvantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanyingdrawings in which:

21.FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle floormat according to the present invention with one corner of the mat shownin a raised position;

22.FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial bottom view of the floor mat shown inFIG. 1;

23.FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial bottom perspective view of the floormat shown in FIG. 1;

24.FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4—4 ofFIG. 1 illustrating the floor mat engaging the carpeted floor board;

25.FIGS. 5-7 are enlarged cross-sectional views of alternativeembodiments of carpet-engaging members according to the presentinvention;

26.FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a mold for forming the floormat shown in FIG. 1;

27.FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment for amold for forming the floor mat shown in FIG. 1; and

28.FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for forming thefloor mat shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

29. Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like elements areidentified by like reference numbers, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of avehicle floor mat 30 according to the present invention. Exemplary floormat 30 is illustrated being disposed upon a carpeted floor board 20 ofan automobile or other motor vehicle 10.

30. For the driver's side of a vehicle, floor mat 30 typically has amain body portion 32 designed to rest on the generally flat portion ofcarpeted floor board 20 and may have a front body portion 34 whichoverlies an inclined portion or front firewall 12. The shape of floormat 30 desirably reflects the contours of carpeted floor board 20 andaccommodates vehicle controls such as an accelerator pedal 14.

31. Floor mats for the passenger side of a vehicle or the foot area ofthe back seats are typically simpler in shape. The principles of thepresent invention are applicable to all such floor mats for use inloop-pile carpeted floor boards, as well as to mats designed to overlieloop-pile carpeted flooring in other floor areas such as in the trunk orcargo area of a vehicle. Although the present invention is directed tofloor mats for use on loop-pile carpeted flooring, the floor mats of thepresent invention may also be used with combined loop-pile and cut-pilecarpeted flooring.

32. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, floor mat 30 is releasably attachableto loop-pile fibers 22 (FIG. 4) of a carpet material 25 (FIG. 4) ofcarpeted floor board 20. In this exemplary embodiment, floor mat 30includes a generally planar member 40 having a top surface 42, a carpetmaterial 45 attached and/or bonded to top surface 42, a plurality ofintegrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending nibs 44, and aplurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending,carpet-engaging members 46 interlockably engageable with loop-pilefibers 22 of the carpeted floor board 20.

33. Exemplary nibs 44 may be tapered projections, preferablyfruostoconically-shaped, and connected to a lower surface 43 of planarmember 40. The nibs are intended to engage the underlying carpet and toprevent lateral floor mat movement. However, the nibs fail to catch orinterlock with loop-pile fibers 22 of the carpeted floor board 20, i.e.,there is no resistance to lifting the floor mat away from the carpetedfloor board since there is no catching or interlocking of the nibs withthe loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board. In addition, duringlateral movement of floor mat 30 relative to carpeted board 20 there isno catching or interlocking of the nibs with the loop-pile fibers of thecarpeted floor board.

34. Carpet material 25 of carpeted floor board 20 generally has aconventional construction having a support layer 27 with a plurality ofloops tufted fibers or loop-pile fibers 22 therein and bound in place.The carpet can be constructed by use of weaving, knitting, tufting, orneedle punching technologies. Yarns used to form the loops can beproduced from a variety of materials including nylon, polyester,polypropylene, or a combination thereof, etc., and in any suitabledenier. The loops can be napped or unnapped. Napped loops typicallyallow for greater carpet-engaging member engagement opportunities. Thedispersion of the loops can be random or uniform, and preferably,multifilament yarns form the loops.

35. Desirably, the plurality of carpet-engaging members 46 is configuredand fabricated from an elastic material so that the carpet-engagingmembers 46 are disengeable from loop-pile fibers 22 of carpeted floorboard 20 generally without breaking or damaging loop-pile fibers 22 ofcarpeted floor board 20. For example, the planar member 40, and thus,integrally formed carpet-engaging members 46 are desirably formed from aheat formable/curable, elastomer or rubber-like material such as athermoplastic elastomer, e.g., a thermoplastic olefin elastomer.

36. Desirably, planar member 40 comprises bottom surface 43 from whichthe plurality of carpet-engaging members 46 extend and are distributedover substantially the entire area or all of bottom surface 43 of floormat 30. Advantageously, the plurality of carpet-engaging members 46extends from and is generally equally distributed over substantially theentire area of bottom surface 12. Providing carpet-engaging members oversubstantially the entire area of the bottom surface of the floor matensures that the entire bottom surface is substantially fully engagedwith the loop-pile carpeted floor board regardless of mat placement.Accordingly, the floor mat is always securely retained in placeregardless of the care, or lack thereof, with which it is placed on thecarpeted floor board. Skew, or lateral or longitudinal misalignment ofthe floor mat relative to the carpeted floor board does not adverselyaffect the retention power of the carpet-engaging members of the presentinvention.

37. The ratio of carpet-engaging members 46 to nibs 44 is illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 as being equal or fifty-fifty (i.e. alternating every row).The elasticity and/or resiliency of the carpet-engaging members, theconfiguration (e.g., size and shape) of the carpet-engaging members, andthe spacing of the carpet-engaging members, are chosen for the floor mataccording to the present invention so that the floor mat may berepeatedly removed for cleaning and reinstalled in the vehicle generallywithout damaging or breaking the loops of the carpeted floor board.Accordingly, the floor mat may have no nibs (i.e., solelydownwardly-depending, carpet-engaging members therefrom) or a ratio ofbetween about one to four carpet engaging members per every ten nibs.Other ratios and patterns thereof are also possible.

38. As best shown in FIG. 4, each of the plurality of carpet-engagingmembers 46 includes a downwardly-depending projection 48, desirablyfruostoconically-shaped, having a pair of outwardly-extending, generallyelongated portions 49. Desirably, the pair of outwardly-extendingportions 49 extend generally orthogonally from the axis ofdownwardly-depending projection 48.

39. The configuration of the carpet-engaging member may alternativelyinclude a single outwardly-extending projection 52 as shown in FIG. 5, asingle outwardly-extending projection 62 extending from a middle portion64 between a bottom surface 63 of a planar member 60 and a bottomportion 67 of a downwardly-depending projection 66, as shown in FIG. 6,or outwardly-extending hook-shaped portion 72 as shown in FIG. 7.

40. From the present description, it will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that other configurations which engage or interlockwith the loop-pile fibers would be equally suitable. In addition, theplurality of outwardly extending portions may be orientated in the same(e.g., unidirectional or aligned) or in different directions (e.g.,multidirectional). The carpet engaging members may have a height on theorder of about one-tenth to three-tenths inch (2.5 mm to 7.6 mm) and aspaced-apart distribution of about one-quarter to about one-inch (6.4 mmto 25.4 mm). The outwardly-extending portion may have a length extendingfrom the side of the nib of about 0.16 inch (4 mm) or less.

41. The present invention is intended to enhance retention of a floormat on an underlying carpeted surface to ensure substantial resistanceto mat movement due to exertion of lateral forces (shear strength),while permitting somewhat relatively easy removal of the floor mat forcleaning and other purposes (peel strength), and generally not damagingor breaking the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor board.

42.FIG. 8 illustrates a mold 100 for forming vehicle floor mat 30(FIG. 1) having a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart,downwardly-depending nibs 44 (FIG. 1), and carpet-engaging members 46(FIG. 1) interlockably engageable with loop-pile fibers 22 (FIG. 4) ofthe carpeted floor board 20.

43. Exemplary mold 100 generally includes a first die 110 having a firstsurface 112 and a second surface 114, and a plurality of spaced-apartapertures 116 extending through first die 110 from first surface 112 tosecond surface 114. A second die 120 having an outer surface 122 ispositionable adjacent to second surface 114 of first die 110.

44. Outer surface 122 of the second die 120 comprises a plurality ofspaced-apart, parallel grooves 125 alignable with (i.e., registrablewith) and extending from and opening onto each of the plurality ofapertures 116. Grooves 125 may be continuous or discontinuous and inregistration with some or all of aperture 116. First die 110 and seconddie 120 are illustrated as having a planar-shaped configuration.

45. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a mold 102 includes afirst die 130 having a first surface 132, a second surface 134, and aplurality of spaced-apart apertures 136 extending through first die 130from first surface 132 to second surface 134. Second surface 134 alsoincludes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves 135 extending from andopening onto each of apertures 136 of first die 130. Grooves 135 may becontinuous or discontinuous and in registration with some or all ofapertures 136. A second die 140 having a second surface 142 provides abacking for second surface 134.

46. Preferably, the first die and the second die have planar,curved-shaped configurations wherein they are readily suitable for useon a rotating drum 200 in conjunction with a pressure carrier roll 210as shown in FIG. 10 for use in an automated, continuous extrusionproduction of floor mats.

47. A method for forming vehicle floor mat having a plurality ofintegrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending, carpet-engagingmembers interlockably engageable with loop-pile fibers of a carpetedfloor board includes the step of providing, for example, a die 110 asdescribed above. Next, a moldable material 240 (FIG. 10) such as athermoplastic elastomer is provided and heated and contacted with firstsurface 112 of first member 110. A portion of the moldable material isforced into spaced-apart apertures 116 and partially into the pluralityof grooves 125 in second surface 122 of second member 120. Desirably,the method further includes the steps of providing a carpet material andbonding the carpet material to a top surface of the moldable material.

48. Carpet material for the floor mat can be woven, knitted, tufted,needle punched or otherwise constructed and can be produced from anytextile fiber, e.g., nylon, polyester, polypropylene, etc., and in anyconstruction pattern, gauge, stitches/inch, etc. suitable forapplication in an automotive accessory floor mat.

49. Preferably, the carpet material and planar member forming materialof the floor mat according to the present invention, and any peripheraltrim and/or bonding agents are each comprised of a material from acommon chemical family. The olefin family is preferred because of itslow moisture retention and low specific gravity. A floor mat in whichall components are comprised of either a material from a common chemicalfamily, e.g., olefins, or inert materials, has the additional majoradvantage of being recyclable, for example, into feedstock for formingsubsequent floor mats, without requiring separation of the components.

50. Thus, while various embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that many changes and modifications may be made thereuntowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle floor mat releasably attachable toloop-pile fibers of a carpeted floor board, said floor mat comprising: agenerally planar member having a plurality of integrally formed,spaced-apart, downwardly depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floorboard.
 2. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein said plurality ofcarpet-engaging members are configured and fabricated from an elasticmaterial so that said plurality of carpet-engaging members providesresistance to movement between said floor mat and the carpeted floorboard while being disengeable from the loop-pile fibers of the carpetedfloor mat generally without breaking the loop-pile fibers of thecarpeted floor mat.
 3. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein saidgenerally planar member and integrally-formed carpet-engaging memberscomprises a rubber-like material.
 4. The vehicle floor mat of claim 3wherein said generally planar member and integrally formed,carpet-engaging members comprise a thermoplastic elastomer.
 5. Thevehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein said generally planar member andintegrally formed, carpet-engaging members comprises a thermoplasticolefin elastomer.
 6. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein saidplanar member comprises a bottom surface and said plurality ofcarpet-engaging members extend from and are distributed oversubstantially the entire area of said bottom surface.
 7. The vehiclefloor mat of claim 1 wherein said planar member comprises a bottomsurface and said plurality of carpet-engaging members extend from andare generally evenly distributed over substantially the entire area ofsaid bottom surface.
 8. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein each ofsaid plurality of carpet-engaging members comprises adownwardly-depending projection having at least one elongatedoutwardly-extending portion.
 9. The vehicle floor mat of claim 8 whereinsaid at least one outwardly-extending portion comprises a pair ofelongated outwardly-extending portions.
 10. The vehicle floor mat ofclaim 8 wherein said at least one outwardly-extending portion extendsgenerally orthogonally from said downwardly-depending projection. 11.The vehicle floor mat of claim 8 wherein said at least oneoutwardly-extending portion extends from a bottom portion of saiddownwardly-depending projection.
 12. The vehicle floor mat of claim 8wherein said at least one outwardly-extending projection extends from aportion of said downwardly-depending projection between said bottomsurface of said planar member and a bottom portion of saiddownwardly-depending projection.
 13. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1wherein said carpet-engaging member comprises a hook-shapedconfiguration.
 14. The vehicle floor mat of claim 1 wherein said planarmember comprises a top surface and further comprising a carpetedmaterial attached to said top surface.
 15. The vehicle floor mat ofclaim 1 wherein said planar member further comprises a plurality ofintegrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardly-depending nibs.
 16. Thevehicle floor mat of claim 15 wherein a ratio of carpet-engaging membersto nibs is between about one to about four carpet engaging members perevery ten nibs.
 17. A vehicle floor mat releasably attachable toloop-pile fibers of a carpeted floor board, said floor mat comprising: agenerally planar member having a plurality of integrally formed,spaced-apart, downwardly depending nibs, and a plurality of integrallyformed, spaced-apart downwardly depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floorboard; said plurality of nibs and said plurality of carpet-engagingmembers configured and fabricated from an elastic material so that saidplurality of carpet-engaging members provide resistance to movementbetween said floor mat and the carpeted floor board while beingdisengageable from the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floor matgenerally without breaking the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floormat; and a carpeted material attached to a top surface of said planarmember.
 18. The vehicle floor mat of claim 17 wherein a ratio ofcarpet-engaging members to nibs is between about one to about fourcarpet engaging members per every ten nibs.
 19. A mold for forming avehicle floor mat having a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart,downwardly-depending, carpet-engaging members interlockably engageablewith loop-pile fibers of a carpeted floor board, said mold comprising; afirst die having a first surface and a second surface a plurality ofspaced-apart apertures extending through said first die from said firstsurface to said second surface; a second die having an outer surfacepositionable adjacent to said second surface; and wherein at least oneof said second surface of said first die and said outer surface of saidsecond die comprises at least one groove extending from and opening ontosame of said plurality of apertures of said first die.
 20. The mold ofclaim 19 wherein said first die comprises a planar-shaped configurationand said second die comprises a planar-shaped configuration.
 21. Themold of claim 19 wherein said first die comprises a planar,curved-shaped configuration and said second die comprises a planar,curved-shaped configuration.
 22. The mold of claim 19 wherein saidsecond surface of said first die comprises at least one groove extendingfrom and opening onto each of said plurality of apertures.
 23. The moldof claim 19 wherein said outer surface of said second die comprises atleast one groove alignable with and extending from and opening onto saidapertures of said first die.
 24. A method for forming a vehicle floormat having a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart, downwardlydepending, carpet-engaging members interlockably engageable with theloop-pile fibers of a carpeted floor board, said method comprising:providing a mold comprising a first die having a first surface a secondsurface a plurality of spaced-apart apertures extending through saidfirst die from said first surface to said second surface, a second diehaving an outer surface positioned adjacent to said second surface, andwherein at least one of said outer surface of said second die and saidsecond surface of said first die comprises at least one groove extendingfrom and opening onto some of said plurality of apertures of said firstdie; providing a moldable elastomeric material; heating and contactingthe moldable material to the first surface of said first die; andforcing a portion of said moldable material into the spaced-apartapertures and into said grooves.
 25. The method of claim 24 furthercomprising providing a carpet material and bonding the carpet materialto a top surface of said moldable material.
 26. A method for forming avehicle floor mat having a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart,downwardly depending, carpet-engaging members interlockably engageablewith the loop-pile fibers of a carpeted floor board, said methodcomprising: providing a moldable elastomeric material; and integrallyforming said moldable elastomeric material into a planar member having aplurality of spaced-apart, downwardly depending, carpet-engaging membersinterlockably engageable with the loop-pile fibers of the carpeted floorboard.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein said planar member furthercomprises a plurality of integrally formed, spaced-apart,downwardly-depending nibs.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein saidplanar member comprises a bottom surface and said plurality ofcarpet-engaging members extend from and are distributed oversubstantially the entire area of said bottom surface.
 29. The method ofclaim 26 further comprising attaching a carpeted material to a topsurface of said planar member.